This article originally provided by The Charleston Gazette

March 30, 2011

Barbara Fleischauer and Mike Manypenny: Think before drilling

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Everyone in our state will soon be affected in some way by Marcellus shale gas drilling. Stacey Haney's experiences tell what can happen if we don't get gas regulations right.

When she leased her gas last year, the operator showed her pretty pictures and told her everything would be fine. It wasn't.

First, local roads were destroyed. She and her family became ill and animals started dying -- two dogs, a horse and the children's goat. She began to suspect their water and the fumes from the nearby chemical waste pond and compressors were poisoning them. Her son edged toward liver failure. After testing, their blood showed high levels of toxic chemicals including arsenic, toluene and benzene.

Haney's story convinced us we were right to ask the state Department of Environmental Protection to stop issuing new Marcellus drilling permits until a new law is passed. We are very pleased that the city of Lewisburg and the Morgantown Dominion Post have joined in our request for a moratorium on new permits.

To be absolutely clear, we are not asking for a moratorium on all gas drilling. The Marcellus gas shale industry represents enormous possibilities for our citizens and our state. But it must be done responsibly.

It is physically impossible for 15 field inspectors to monitor 59,000 permitted wells -- of which more than 900 were granted for Marcellus shale drilling in the past two years. The DEP desperately needs funding for new inspectors, which should come from the regulated industry.

Why were we unsuccessful in passing legislation in the 2011 regular session? Primarily because the industry lost interest when both chambers of the Legislature refused to include "forced pooling," which means that even if you have not leased your gas, you must participate in the drilling if a majority of your neighbors do.

Another complication was the upcoming gubernatorial primary, with the acting governor, acting Senate president and speaker of the House all running for governor.

Along with the two of us, the following bi-partisan group of delegates signed onto our letter requesting a moratorium on new Marcellus gas well permits: Linda Longstreth, D- Marion; Larry Barker, D-Boone; Bonnie Brown, D-Kanawha; Danny Wells, D-Kanawha; Anthony Barill, D-Monongalia; Dale Martin, D-Putnam; Don Perdue, D-Wayne; Mary Poling, D-Barbour; Clif Moore, D-McDowell; Harold Pete Sigler, R-Nicholas; Margaret Staggers, D-Fayette; Joe Talbott, D-Webster; John Doyle, D-Jefferson; Ray Canterbury, D- Greenbrier; Virginia Mahan, D-Summers; Nancy Guthrie, D-Kanawha; Dan Poling, D-Wood; Barbara Hatfield, D-Kanawha; Ruth Rowan, R-Hampshire; Rick Snuffer, R-Raleigh; and Roger Romine, R-Tyler.

We call on our fellow leaders in the Legislature to hammer out an agreement on Marcellus legislation. Once agreement is reached, we urge the acting governor to call a special session after the gubernatorial primary.

Please encourage other delegates and senators to join our request for a new permit moratorium and ask gubernatorial candidates where they stand on a new permit moratorium and a special session.

And don't forget to vote. The primary vote for governor is May 14, and the election is on Oct. 4.

Fleischauer, of Monongalia County, and Manypenny, of Taylor County, are Democratic members of the House of Delegates.

 

 

West Virginia Surface Owners' Rights Organization
1500 Dixie Street, Charleston, West Virginia 25311
304-346-5891